Category: Book Tag Page 1 of 5

June 16 is the day here on Earth in the 21st Century that is the equivalent of Stardate 47457.1. Jean-Luc Picard’s birthday, celebrated by the children of Enterprise-D as Capt. Picard Day. I noted it was coming up last week and then realized that I’e never talked about a single Star Trek related novel or book here. Well, I guess Brent Spiner’s book comes close–but not close enough. Still, I wanted to do something. Inspired by Jodie’s recent Firefly Book Tag, I decided to throw one together for Star Trek: TNG.

This might have been a mistake. Once I got started on the prompts, I had a hard time stopping myself from getting too carried away–but I could’ve tried harder. That came back to bite me when it came time to come up with responses. So, yeah, this is up late. Oh, well. It’s Picard Day somewhere.

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

A Character of Honor, Conviction, and Heroism (or just one of those…I mean, how often do you get the whole package?)

I spent too much time thinking about this, but I ended up having to go with Walt Longmire, Sherriff of Absaroka Country in Wyoming. Walt’s commitment to doing the right thing–despite what it costs him physically, politically, emotionally, or financially–is almost second to none. Unlike many similar characters, he doesn’t spend a lot of time talking about it, either. (Sorry, Spenser). He just does it, and waits for his friends, colleagues, and family to figure out his motives. I like Walt as a character, but I forget how much there is to admire about him. I frequently think that about Picard, too.

Commander William T. Riker

A Character Featuring a Character Who’s Always Up for Action (I mean that in the adventure sense, but, then again they might be just as ready for a more metaphorical “action” (wink, wink))

Francis Grimm, a privateer, and captain/owner of the AMS Predator. Grimm is ready for a fight–and will do all sorts of things to get a win. He’s not wreckless enough to take unneccessary risks–although his definition of unnecessary might differ from yours. Hand-to-hand, with a saber, or airship-to-airship, Grimm’ll rise to the occasion. I doubt he’d stand for the trombone playing, but Grimm and Riker are cut from the same cloth.

Counselor Deanna Troi

A book that makes you feel all the feelings

Boy howdy. This was funny, heartwarming, I was annoyed by some characters, I was surprised, and I came so close to crying in my car before work as I finished it. Seriously, I can’t think of an emotion that didn’t feel for a page or two. You don’t need to be from Betazed to see that.

Lieutenant Natasha ‘Tasha’ Yar

A book featuring a Character Death that Still Bugs You (no need to name the character)

I wondered if I bit off more than I could chew with this prompt. So, I just thought back as far as I could to deaths I’m still not over. This one has been bothering me since the Reagan administration. I should probably accept it, but…I can’t. Not unlike the way the bumped off Tasha.

Lieutenant Commander Data

A great AI/Android Character

Okay, there are dozens and dozens to choose from here. But Marvin, the poor depressed android who was drug along on an adventure he wanted nothing to do with when Zaphod stole The Heart of Gold, has to be my pick, right? He’s Douglas Adams’ answer to Eeyore–something is always wrong, whether he’s parking spaceships at Milliways, stuck doing menial tasks like escorting hitchhiker’s around a spaceship, or anything else that he stumbles into–he’s miserable. He’s depressed. He’s fed up with everything. And since I was a teen, a robot like that has endeared himself to me like none other. Clearly Dr. Noonien Soong learned a thing or two from robots like Marvin (and, sure, Lore) so he kept Data from having those emotions.

Lieutenant Worf

A Great Warrior Character (hopefully one with a degree of honor)

Briar, the commander of the Shields (the royal guard) in Cameron Johnston’s The Last Shield is one of my favorite warrior characters lately. She’s not afraid to seek out–or rely on help–but she’s willing to be the only one in the castle to stand against a group of invaders as well. She’s got heart, grit, and won’t stop battling until the fight is over (or fights are over, to be correct). There’s not a Klingon worth their salt that wouldn’t welcome her among their ranks.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge

A character with who can solve any problem you throw at them

Archie Goodwin, Nero Wolfe’s assistant (among other things) leaps to mind here. When Mr. Wolfe says something needs to get done–a clue needs to be found, a witness needs to be brought to him for questioning, a particular button needs to be traced to its maker–Archie will get the job done through determination and panache–not to mention intelligence guided by experience. Sure, he doesn’t have the education to handle a warp core breach or anything like that. But I wouldn’t put it past him to save the NCC-1701-D or anything else Starfleet has in its fleet.

Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher

A Precocious Child Character

Anci, the daughter of the protagonist in the Slim in Little Egypt series (too short by a mile), is my pick for this. Anci’s smart, she’s insightful, she’s sweet, she’s got an attitude that just won’t quit. She also has a way of getting herself into (and out of) trouble and more than once has helped her dad out of a jam. She’s a kid, through and through, but she’s probably the one that keeps her detective dad going. If Miller had given us a few more books, I can see her doing more of an “acting apprentice” kind of role–but she didn’t get the chance.

Dr. Beverly Crusher

A Skilled Medical Professional

Dr. Greta Helsing treats more strange beings than any Starfleet doctor has–despite their search for new life and new civilizations. London has enough old lives and civilizations that are ignored. Okay, for her it’s varities of vampires, banshees, ghouls, and so on. But she pulls out all the stops and puts her life on the line to find ways to treat her patients when she has to–but isn’t above treating a little common cold, either.

Dr. Katherine Pulaski

A Grating/Contrarian Character

Backman’s Ove seems too predictable a choice for this, but once I got him stuck in my mind, I couldn’t get him out. Yes, he’s crappy, a bit intolerant (okay, more than a bit), and too set in his ways, but it’s what lies beneath–and getting to see it–that makes him stand out and be memorable. Not unlike Dr. Pulaski, who I was starting to warm to before she left the Enterprise.

Q

An (almost?) Impossibly Powerful Character

This was a tougher prompt than I realized at first, and I kept bouncing around between various Wizard/Sorcerer characters, but didn’t really feel right about any of them. So, I’m going to go another way–Jack Reacher. The amount of physical punishment he takes and dishes out, while figuring out wild plots, and handling any weapon he comes across capably. Really, that’s a kind of magic that Raistlin, Dresden, Dumbledore, or Merlin would boggle at. He’s not quite as mercurial as our favorite representative of the Q Collective–but he’s just as judgemental.

Lieutenant Reginald Barclay

A character with a great amount of growth over the series

When we meet Gustave (a goat) as The Chronicles of Pell, he’s amusing, but I got tired of him quickly. But by the end of The Princess Beard…not only do I like the character, but think he’s grown into someone that I’d enjoy on the page and off the page (were such a thing possible). Barclay’s arc is very much the same.

Ten-Forward

A book featuring a bar/tavern/lounge

Mrs. Covington’s pub (from the novel of the same name) is just as homey, just as friendly, and full of music and joy as Guinan’s lounge. It might be a bit more raucus, but it’s got the same kind of heart. And it’s no stranger to dealing with non-human patrons or their appetites, either.

Kamin

A Book Featuring an Alternate History

I just read The Devils a couple of weeks ago, so of course it’s going to jumpt to mind. But even in a year or two, it’s going to stand out as one of my favorite alternate histories–the details–especially the throwaway details–that Abercrombie works into this are just phenomenal. You can see that version of our world coming to pass–the light within it, is very close to our own. While not being our own at all.

Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra

A Novel in Translation

I’ve read a few good books in translation lately, but Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama, Jeffrey Angles (Translator) is my pick for this. Not only does it tell a mythic tale from another culture, but the translator works to bring it to English-speaking audiences in a way they understand not just the words, but the symbols and themes from the original.

I’ve had this post mostly drafted for a few weeks, but hadn’t gotten around to formatting and whatnot. Then I realized it’s perfect for today’s anniversary, so…here you go.

I found this over at Jo Linsdell’s list of tags, apparently it was created by Penguin Random House to promote The Reader by Traci Chee.

Choose one word that describes being a reader

Curious. A reader is curious. Curious about new worlds, new characters—what’s going on in old fictional worlds or with familiar characters—new ideas. Curiosity about new-to-me facts and perspectives. Or different ways to tell familiar stories.

What is the first book you fell in love with?

There were a number of picture books that probably qualify—the ones I had read to me so many times I could tell when my mother goofed or was skipping ahead so she could move on to something else. But the first title that I can point to with a level of confidence is—as I’ve said so many times on this site that even I’m bored with the story (and many readers could say it with me: Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective.

 

 

Hardback or paperback, e-book or audio?

Probably paperback, they’re just easier to hold comfortably. Hardback and then e-book are fine follow-ups. I love audio—it’s clear that I listen to them a lot—but I have to be doing something else (working, cleaning, driving), or I fall asleep. So that’s why it comes in fourth.

I know they’ve fallen out of fashion, but I miss a good mass-market paperback.

How has reading shaped your identity?

It practically is my identity. I’d like to think that Christian, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and friend come first–but I’m convinced any of them do. I say that in jest, but there’s a voice in the back of my head saying, “oh, really?”

As far back as I can remember, that’s just what I did. And everyone knew it–as I talked about on Monday, my friend group had me read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to help us figure out the game. They also handed me Dragons of Autumn Twilight to help us get a handle on playing in that world (we never did, but my Weiss/Hickman fandom started right then). I find myself in similar situations still. There are people were I work that’ll come up and give me book suggestions without us having had a real conversation before. I just emit a bookworm (or ink drinker) pheromone, I think. That was true before I started blogging–it’s only increased since then.

What book do you read when you need to be comforted?

I don’t have a go-to for that. Maybe I should—but really, any fictional work does it by letting me focus on a different reality.

For the longest time, I’d read a Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin book when I was taken down by a cold. But that’s not the same, I know, it’s just the closest I can think of.

One particularly dark part of my life started around the time I’d discovered Jim Butcher—the first 8 Dresden novels helped me through that (as did discovering Jonathan Tropper). I don’t go to either of them when I need comforted, but they ended up that way then. And probably serve the same purpose now, I just don’t realize it.

Who taught you how to be a reader?

Immediately, this line from Alberto Manguel’s A History of Reading came to mind:

At one magical instant in your early childhood, the page of a book—that string of confused, alien ciphers—shivered into meaning. Words spoke to you, gave up their secrets; at that moment, whole universes opened. You became, irrevocably, a reader.

So, I couldn’t tell you when that happened. But the authors that jumped to mind to get me/keep me hooked early on were: Donald J. Sobol, Raymond Abrashkin and Jay Williams, Robert Arthur and whoever was ghostwriting the Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators books, and countless others I can’t recall. Their work has been fed and nurtured over the years by countless more (and for the last 13 years, by people featured on this here blog).

But really, it was my Mom. She introduced books to me, she spent more time than she probably could afford early on reading them to me, and supported my habit when it became out-of-control (and still does).

Describe your dream reading lounge

A comfortable chair—not too comfortable, because I can drift off pretty easily. Good lighting—I prefer overhead lighting (much to my lamp-loving wife’s consternation). A good, comfortable temperature. Not a lot around to distract myself. A decent source of music for the background. Space for a dog or to curl up next to me. I really don’t care what it’s like beyond that–I’m not going to pay attention.

What book changed the way you act or see the world?

What book didn’t?

I’m going to limit myself to Middle School and High School, or this would take a day to write. Also, I’m pretty sure I’m leaving some off–that’s the problem with memory (and I have to say that kind of thing because if I don’t add that disclaimer, I’ll be revising this list for hours).

Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (as you may have read here earlier this week); Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars by Daniel Manus Pinkwater; Jane Eyre; Dave Barry Slept Here; Bierce’s The Devil’s Dictionary; The Right Stuff; Fahrenheit 451; Heart of Darkness (only in that it gave me a lifelong aversion to Joseph Conrad); Lewis’ Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

I had fun with this back in ’23, but keep forgetting to do it since then. Thanks to Witty and Sarcastic Book Club for reminding me to tackle it.

First Book Read in 2026

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Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

I started this year by wrapping up my 2025 project of reading Lewis works with his final novel.

First Review of 2026

I really don’t like calling my posts reviews, but for the sake of this tag, I’ll swallow that. I’m a little fuzzy about what they’re asking for, was that the first review of the year? Or was it the first book from this year that I reviewed? Eh…I’ll do both, just because.

Mississippi Blue 42 by Eli Cranor

Cranor’s series premier about a rookie FBI agent was plenty of fun and the first book I posted about this year.(my original post about the book)

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins

It took me a few weeks longer than it should’ve to read it, but Atkins’ 80s set spy thriller with a sense of humor was the first book I read and posted about this year.(my original post about the book)

First Debut Read in 2026

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

This did not read like a debut novel–but according to the Internet (the repository of only truth), it was. (my original post about the book)

First “New to Me” Author of 2026

All the Best Dogs by Emily Jenkins

This charming MG novel about the best dogs was my introduction to Emily Jenkins.(my original post about the book)

First Book of 2026 that Slayed Me

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

Twelve Months
I’m still recoving from reading this book back in January.(my original post about the book)

First Book of 2026 that I Wish I Could Get Back the Time I Spent Reading It

A Particularly Nasty Case by Adam Kay

This was just…pointless, generally unpleasant (and not just because of a unsavory protagonist), and a mess. It erased a lot of the respect I had for the author after his memoir.

First 5 Star Book of 2026

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins

I’m known for enjoying Atkins’ books, but this is probably the most fun I had with one of his books. Fast, clever, and funny. (my original post about the book)

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.